The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has has directed Super Division side, Prison Leopards, to withdraw Dudley Fichite from their technical bench barely days after his inclusion amid public outcry.
Fichite who is serving a life in prison sentence was convicted for defiling his niece and infecting her with HIV and Syphilis in 2018 by the supreme court after he appealed his initial 25-year sentence handed by the High Court.
His appointment came to light earlier this week after the Commissioner-General Dr. Chisela Chileshe graced the ZCS 2020 Sports Gala at Mulungushi University in Kabwe.
“We will incorporate those inmates with sports talent in our sports teams to enrich our rehabilitation programs as another way of preparing them for reintegration back into society,” Dr. Chileshe proclaimed.
There was a public outcry and now the Association has written to the Kabwe based side to withdraw their appointment. FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has stated that the action to involve Fichite in FAZ organized football activities has the potential to bring the name of the game into disrepute and may deter other stakeholders especially sponsors from associating themselves with football activities.
Below is the full Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
8th January 2021
FAZ WRITES PRISON LEOPARDS OVER FICHITE
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has directed Super Division side, Prison Leopards, to withdraw Dudley Fichite from the technical bench as he is serving a prison sentence.
In a letter dated 7 January 2021 and addressed to the Prison Leopards secretary, FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala stated that the action to involve Fichite in FAZ organized football activities had the potential to bring the name of the game into disrepute and may deter other stakeholders especially sponsors from associating themselves to football activities.
“In the meantime, we, therefore, direct that you avoid involving the aforesaid individual in any FAZ organized football activities to avoid the complications that may arise from this act,” read Kashala’s letter in part.
“We would appreciate that in future, your club should notify the Association before the implementation of anything that you are not sure about so that we can give guidance in accordance with FIFA, CAF and FAZ statutes and regulations.”
In December 2018, Fichite, a former Green Buffaloes striker, was sentenced to life imprisonment for defilement and is currently serving his sentence at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility in Kabwe.
Meanwhile, Kashala has expressed displeasure over the unsporting conduct of Prison Leopards coach Mwenya Chipepo, who has so far been sent off twice from the technical bench in the 2020/2021 football season.
“The latest one being during the game against Nkana Football Club which was watched by the FAZ President and some members of the FAZ secretariat, which was your Head Coach behave in an unsporting manner in contravention of Article 13(i) of the FAZ Constitution and if he continues to behave in the manner he did, the Association will have no option but to sanction the coach as provided for in Articles 14 and 15 of the FAZ Constitution,” Kashala stated.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
That’s unprofessional by the FAZ General Secretary to take a serious action on Fichite without quoting the law that stops a prisoner from participating in sports the sport body. Does it mean the Correctional Service Boss is not conversant with rules pertaining to the restriction of inmates? Daniel
Yes this man should be withdrawn from leopard’s technical bench. Good move we have people who can do it not a convict
What kind of Christians are we who cant forgive our fellow human beings ?fichite can still be forgiven just like any other person out there. He was wrong and he was punished . Leta find time to really understand the meaning of being a Christian.